Strangers on the Shore— The Firefly pt.3

My greed for summer roll was not satisfied yet, seeing another bag laid beside Store Owner, my hunger made me coveted it a bit. This was how good things could blind a person. Even when it was started because of someone’s generosity towards you, greed knew no boundaries.

“Hmm, Store Owner, you know the other bag… can I take one? Only one” I begged Store Owner shyly.

“Yes, only one, please” Youngman suddenly raised one hand and gestured for one cutely. I turned to him with shocked eyes but then joined hand with him and continued to beg shamelessly.

Store Owner was disgusted by our act and moved back bit by bit. Two grown men begged for summer roll was not a pleasant sight either, and between strangers on top of that. “Nooo, noo.” He quickly grabbed the bag and secured it tightly in his arms.

“I’ll go buy it again later for your daughter when we going home” I persuaded him.

“As if. This was the last batch of the day” Store Owner responded strongly. Youngman’s and my effort went down the drain.

“It’s not like I don’t want to give you more, but this is really precious. Before going here we were in a tense mood so I hope she will soften if I give her this.” Store Owner told us his situation with small voice.

“Ahh, so this the bribe. Okay then!” I gave in and supported him instead. I felt bad trying to ruin his good intention for his daughter.

“Owh, foolish father khekhe” Oldman commented with smirk. “How old is your daughter?”.

“She’s fourteen, 8th grader” Store Owner answered.

“Did you do something really bad so you have to get her a bribe?” I asked. His situation reminded me to when Father came home with my favorite food after he broke his promises to play with me.

“Actually, I’m not really sure. I think what I said was true, but seeing her reaction I think I messed up.” I could sensed Store Owner’s words filled with guilty, uneasiness, and uncertainty.

“Is it really serious? Did you say something brutally honest like not coaxing it in sweeter way or things like that?” Oldman was curious.

“Hmm 8th grader’s problems.. Did you caught her secretly having boyfriend? Or her grade dropping? Skipping classes? What else is 8th grader would do that could be a thing?” Youngman took guesses and turned to me for support.

“What? What else? It couldn’t be she involved in a fight, right? Cat fight? I heard girls’ fight is scary” I threw a guess and met cold reaction with their eyes pierced on me sharply. “Or.. no? I don’t know. I graduated middle school 20 years ago. I guess the problems are evolving?” I continued cautiously after reading the air.

Store Owner looked troubled. “Is she really involved in a fight?” Oldman asked carefully after seeing Store Owner turned gloomier in respond to my words.

Store Owner shook his head proving Oldman’s guess was wrong. “So?” followed by me. Our curiosity was piqued already, it was hard to resist it now.

“It’s okay if you don’t feel like sharing it” said Youngman. Oldman and me then backed off slowly and tried to act like we were not interested in poking our noses into his situation.

Store Owner’s stare fixed on the rocks in front. He seemed hesitated between wanting to share and keeping it for himself. But he needed answers he could not think of since then, what if the answer hidden in between one of these strangers’ minds? So he gave it a shot and opened up little by little. “I think she is an outcast in school, or even getting bullied.” He sighed a heavy and long breath, his head hung in despair as his voice getting smaller and hoarse.

Oldman, Youngman, and me looked at each other in worrisome gaze.